Looking back and looking forward

THE week between the Solemnity of Christ the King

(November 25) and the first Sunday of Advent (Dec 2), which marks the

end and the beginning, respectively, of the Church’s liturgical year,

is a good occasion to make a review of the year that passed and a plan

for the year to come.

            I believe this is a good practice that should be promoted

widely because our spiritual and apostolic life, as much as possible,

should march together with the liturgical rhythm of the year, so to

speak.

            We have to be aware of the different parts and seasons of

the liturgical year. There’s the season of Advent, then Christmas,

then a part of what is called as Ordinary Time, then Lent that

culminates with the Easter Triduum, then Easter itself, then back to

Ordinary Time that ends with the Solemnity of Christ the King. Within

the Ordinary Time are different solemnities and feasts related to

special events in Christ’s life and the memorials of saints.

            We have to understand that the liturgical year presents to

us the whole life of Christ and the economy of salvation, from our

creation to our glorification with Christ in heaven.

            In fact, if we understand the true character of the

liturgy, we would know that the liturgy does not only present the life

of Christ. That life and redemptive work of Christ, together with

their fruits, are made present and actual in a sacramental way. We

therefore become actors and participants, agents and beneficiaries of

Christ’s redemptive work.

            That is why we have to take the Church’s liturgy for the

whole year seriously. And as such, we have to be properly trained,

developing the appropriate attitude, and aware of the duties and

responsibilities as well as the blessings and privileges that the

liturgy affords us.

            If in the past liturgical year, we have been deficient in

our understanding and attitude toward the liturgy, then now is the

time to make a new beginning, with desires to make an improvement and

growth in our spiritual and apostolic life.

            The way things are in the world today, we cannot afford

anymore to be casual in this duty. We have to identify as specifically

as possible areas in our spiritual and apostolic life which needs

improvement. It could be in the aspects of prayer, sacrifice, or in

our faith, etc. As much as possible we have to identify the roots of

the defects and sins we often commit. We should try our best to know

ourselves well—our strengths and weaknesses, etc.

            And based on our ‘performance’ of the past year, let us

try to make the appropriate strategy for the next year. What practices

of piety should we develop or improve? What virtues do we still have

to cultivate with greater effort? What means of formation should we

avail of? We have to set clear goals.

            The way things are now in the world, we really need to be

properly equipped and armed to face the many challenges of the times.

In this regard, let us not underestimate the need to have a good

spiritual director who can help us navigate the tricky waters of

today’s world.

            There will be new things and new developments that require

from us new skills and the appropriate attitudes. We have to know how

to flow with the times without getting confused and lost. We have to

know what changes we can make in ourselves that would not compromise

what is essential in life. Remember what Christ once said: “Pour new

wine into new wineskin, and both are preserved.” (Mt 9,17)

            Yes, let’s make use of this week to look back and to look forward!